Lionel Carmant has decided to step down from his role as the social services minister within the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government and will now serve as an Independent. This move was made public during a joint announcement with Premier François Legault, with Carmant describing the decision as tough and emotionally challenging due to recent events that have prompted him to prioritize his family.
Following Carmant’s resignation, Sonia Bélanger, who oversees housing, will assume the role of social services minister while also taking on responsibility for seniors, as per the announcement made by Legault later that day. At the same time, Caroline Proulx, previously in charge of seniors, will now handle housing affairs.
Carmant’s resignation coincides with a legal challenge initiated by doctors across Quebec against Bill 2, a special law introduced by the province that establishes a new salary framework for doctors. The federation representing medical specialists in Quebec has lodged a legal complaint, denouncing the law as harsh and infringing upon various charter rights. Amidst this, numerous doctors have expressed intentions to depart from Quebec’s public healthcare system, with many already seeking licenses to practice in other provinces, including Carmant’s daughter, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, who penned a letter hinting at potential relocation if her practice freedom is not respected.
During his announcement, Carmant clarified that his departure was not a resignation but a conscious choice between his duties. He emphasized the importance of political engagement with integrity and transparency towards oneself and others. While he refrained from directly addressing his daughter’s letter, various political figures, including Public Security Minister Ian Lafrenière and Quebec Liberal Party health critic Marc Tanguay, acknowledged the significance of the message conveyed in the letter and the impact on Carmant and his family.
Québec Solidaire MNA Manon Massé expressed regret over Carmant’s exit, labeling him as an exceptional minister and highlighting the loss to the government. Carmant, a former pediatric neurologist at CHU Sainte-Justine, served as the junior minister for health and social services from 2018 to 2022 after being elected as the member for Taillon in 2018. In his farewell address, Carmant mentioned the challenge of leaving behind projects he was deeply passionate about, while Legault extended his gratitude for Carmant’s contributions and achievements.